BATAVIA – Quinn and Trey Urwiler’s football journey traces back to backyard pickup games, and now will run through NIU.
They’d both star at Batavia High School as teammates. Quinn Urwiler earned Kane County Chronicle Football Player of the Year after a standout 2019 season in his final year. Urwiler finished with 77 tackles, 15 for loss and 4.5 sacks. As a running back, Urwiler had 557 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
After finishing his redshirt freshman season at North Dakota, where he primarily was used on special teams, Quinn Urwiler announced Monday on Twitter his transfer.
The next day, Urwiler formally announced his next destination: joining his younger brother at Northern Illinois University.
Thankful for this opportunity… coming home!!! @NIUCoachHammock @CoachGigli pic.twitter.com/T32XWlEFOK
— Quinn Urwiler (@QuinnUrwiler38) December 1, 2021
“It’s always great to be able to play with your brother again, especially playing football together again means we get to make even more memories and get to enjoy lots of time together at the sport that we both really love,” Quinn Urwiler told Friday Night Drive on Wednesday. “But, also, this was a business decision, and I’m focused on improving my game and getting better every single day. And that’s a reason why I chose NIU.”
“I’m excited to see what the future has in store for [Trey and me], and I’m so happy that NIU gave me the chance to be a part of their great team. I want to thank everyone that has been in my corner with me: All the high school coaches, friends and family, they all mean a lot to me, and I’m very grateful.”
Quinn Urwiler amassed 10 total tackles, 1 1/2 for loss and one sack in limited action.
A variety of factors played into the decision to transfer, including searching for more consistent playing time, geographical considerations and more.
“Ten hours away, I [was] driving back and forth,” Quinn Urwiler said. “And, trying to make things work out, so obviously, [it was] a lot on me and a lot on my family. They obviously want[ed] to come and see me play; they [had] to take time off of work. My dad [Gary] is still coaching at Batavia, so it’s hard for them. ... I’m just really, really close with my family, and we do everything together.”
“I definitely have a lot of friends [in North Dakota] and definitely got to enjoy the college experience and see how college really is. I really want to thank the coaches. I only had two schools recruit me in high school, this is one of them. I want to thank them for that because they actually saw the potential in me the first time. I have brothers for life here. Leaving my roommates, that’s going to be hard. ... We’re just going to enjoy these two weeks.”
Trey Urwiler, as a true freshman, has earned his way into special teams reps as NIU prepares to play for the Mid-American Conference championship Saturday. Coach Thomas Hammock, who on Wednesday was named the conference’s coach of the year, has pointed to Trey Urwiler as a standout on the Huskies’ compete team and a name to watch for in the future.
“Honestly, [I’m] just really happy for Q,” Trey Urwiler said. “We have had conversations of playing together again for a while, and now that it’s actually happening is great to see.”
“Quinn will fit in with the team very well and will work hard. [I’m] thankful to the coaches for accepting Quinn and I; the NIU coaches are some of the best in the business. [I’m] excited for the future.”